Essex County Council’s Corporate Peer Challenge, which was planned originally to commence Monday 18 June, has been postponed.

The peer challenge was going to look at priority setting, leadership of place, organisational leadership and governance, financial planning and viability as well as capacity to deliver.

Gavin Jones, Chief Executive, said: “I’m really grateful to those of you involved for the hard work you have done to get us in good shape for this.

“However, as with all the best laid plans, events occur which are out of our control and this is exactly what has happened with our peer challenge. Unfortunately, the manager of the challenge process has sustained an injury and she can now no longer take part.

“We have been working hard with the Local Government Association to identify an alternate but, at such short notice, this has not been possible.

“So, it is with great regret that our peer challenge will now not happen next week. However, as a learning organisation we remain committed to undertaking a peer challenge and we will be looking to reschedule later in the year.”